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The Secret to Healthier Skin

I’m going to make today’s newsletter short and sweet. We’re going to explore something called the gut-skin axis and how you can support BOTH!
 
Sure, there are tons of skin care products on the market, and some of them are undeniably better than others, but none of them are going to override the impact of your primary beauty secret–your gut!
 
Why?
 
Because when your gut is healthy, it shows on the outside in every way, including your skin.

Because your gut is at the root of your health. 



Your gut is where you take all the good stuff you eat and drink and transform it into the many building blocks your body needs to make energy, think clearly, sleep well, maintain a healthy weight, build muscle, fight infections, and clear out toxins that need clearing out daily so you can thrive. Let’s go deeper.
 

The Gut-Skin Axis

The digestive system and the skin have both endocrine, neurological, and immune functions. They are closely related to each other–so close that a number of studies have shown that gut health affects the skin. How do these two organ systems communicate with each other?
 
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are often accompanied by skin manifestations. When your gut microbiome is not healthy, gaps are created in the intestinal lining where your gut bacteria and their metabolites can escape to the bloodstream. They then accumulate in the skin and disturb its homeostasis, resulting in inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, and rosacea.
 
We also clear toxins out through our digestive pathways–if not, then they must get out another way and your skin is a major organ of detoxification.

Another way the gut and skin communicate is through their immune function. It’s not only the gut that contains microbes; the skin does too! The skin microbiota maintain skin homeostasis by preventing the growth of pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms as well as inflammation.
 
The gut microbes seem to play a role in the health of the skin microbiota. When fiber is fermented in the gut, the gut microbes produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which promote the growth of skin microbes, thereby increasing the skin’s immune function.
 
The relationship between the gut and skin is undeniable. And the secret to healthier skin can be found in your very own kitchen. Feed your gut with fiber and probiotic foods, fresh veggies, and clean protein, and drink plenty of clean, filtered water daily and see for yourself –it’ll show!

It is my passion is to work with people like you whose health symptoms–like low energy, gut/digestive issues, excess weight, mood imbalance, chronic infections, and skin & sleep problems–are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.
 
If you’d like to learn more about how you can discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health
~Rebecca

The Skin Benefits of Castor Oil

Last week, I talked about the benefits of castor oil to your hair. This time I’ll give you more uses of castor oil for your skin!

Skin Cleanser

If you’re looking for a good and natural skin cleanser, you can try a combination of castor oil and jojoba oil (this combo works well for acne-prone skin, but olive oil and castor oil is better for dry skin). Mix 1/2 teaspoon each of the two oils (a 1:1 ratio) and massage the mixture on your face for a minute or two, making sure your whole face is covered. Using a damp, warm washcloth, gently wipe the oil away.
 
This process removes excess oil, dirt, and anything that clogs your pores. Your skin should feel hydrated and supple afterward!
 
Aside from providing a deep cleanse on the skin, castor oil is also the best for the following skin conditions…

Stretchmarks

Stretchmarks, whether through physical changes during adolescent or pregnancy, can be minimized by applying castor oil on the affected skin every day for 3-4 weeks. To allow the oil to penetrate more through the skin, use a cotton cloth and wrap it around the area.

Fungal Infections

Mix castor oil with coconut oil and apply on areas with ringworm and other fungal skin problems. Castor oil has an abundant content of undecyclenic acid, a biochemical that targets and prevents fungal growth.
 
You have to be diligent in applying your castor-coconut oil blend until your skin fungal problem is gone. Also, many fungal infections are rooted in your gut health, diet and lifestyle so make sure that you are supporting these areas and not just trying to address it topically.

Scars

Some of you might have scars that are bothersome especially if they’re on the face, probably from acne or chickenpox. You can use castor oil to heal the scar tissue by massaging the oil on your skin. Doing so helps the oil to penetrate through the epidermis (the outer layer) and promote new cell growth.
 
Apply the oil before bedtime, leave it all night, and wash your skin in the morning.

Acne

While castor oil can help fade your acne scars, there’s more good news! It can prevent acne so that you won’t have to deal with the scar!
The fatty acid in castor oil known as ricinoleic acid fights the acne-causing bacteria.  This makes it more effective against cystic acne, which is the more severe form of acne that’s likely to cause scarring.
Here are some various recipes you can try.

Precautions

Castor oil can stain! So be aware of that and you might want to wear old clothes when applying on your body.
 
Castor oil induces labor. If you’re pregnant, it’s better to check with your practitioner or not use castor oil at all.
 
Castor oil can cause diarrhea if you take too much! This is for those who are taking it by mouth to ease constipation. Again, moderation is the key.
 
Castor oil may cause allergic reactions. If this is your first time applying castor oil to your skin, apply only a small amount to a tiny patch of the skin so that you’ll know if your body has any untoward reaction to it.

I hope that this has been helpful for you! I will add that if you live in the Bay Area, Katalina at Skincare by Katalina is an amazing resource on skin health. She’s my personal go-to gal for holistic skincare.
 
If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!

~Rebecca